YIELD the Power

 

Mary Lee Ahern

Youth Coordinator – Fast Track & YIELD Coordinator

mahern@accessliving.org

(312) 640-2119

Workshops to engage and empower students with disabilities

YIELD the Power Workshops teach students with disabilities self-advocacy and leadership skills. By learning about disability culture and the disability rights movement, YIELD students become empowered members of the disability community. 

Kids working together on a poster.
Students sit together around a table. They are creating a colorful poster that says ‘YIELD the Power.’

Program Criteria

  • YIELD must be offered through a public, private, or charter school
  • The classroom must be comprised entirely of students with disabilities
  • Participating students must fill out the YIELD enrollment packet prior to the first workshop (packets can be emailed to teachers in advance).
  • Students must be at least 14 years old

YIELD Workshop Basics

  • Workshops are two hours long and are scheduled by teachers and Access Living staff
  • Workshops take place once a week for four consecutive weeks (Note: if a class requires a shorter workshop or has specific needs, the program can be customized for the teacher and students.)

Workshop Sessions

  • Session 1: A YIELD Coordinator comes to the school to get to know the students, evaluate how best to help them learn, and determine how to tailor the program to meet students’ needs.
  • Sessions 2 to 4: Students learn about autonomy and choice, the disability rights movement, disability leadership, accommodations, disability language, and more.
  • Additional topics and lesson plans can be added as needed.

How do I get YIELD at my school?

If you are an educator, student, parent, or guardian interested in having a YIELD Workshop in your school, please contact our Youth Team or fill out the form below.

Youth Programming Interest Form

Fast Track/Youth Interest Form
Name
Name
First
Last
Which of our youth programs are you interested in? Select all that apply.
Are you a parent, student, or educator?
What is the best way for us to contact you?
What school do you attend or teach at?
What school do you attend or teach at?
School Name
School Address
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal